Homewood Native Sampognaro Wins Most Trusted Mechanic

Rick Sampognaro Jr. could hardly contain his excitement when presented with his winning certificate naming him H-F's Most-Trusted Auto Mechanic.

“I already got a frame for it—I’ll go get it,” he said after receiving the award. “This is the best news I've heard since I heard I'm having a son, (Richard III), eight months ago.”

That’s right: eight months ago. Which means his wife, Angela, is expecting to deliver sometime near the end of this month. This is a lot of “new” for a man who could still be considered a newlywed. Even Sampognaro’s shop, R&R Maintenance Automotive Repair, is only 20 months old.

“I used to be mobile before,” Sampognaro said, referring mostly to the contract work he still does for many Southland municipalities. “… Since January it’s like someone turned a light switch on because I've been rockin’ n rollin’. It just seems like all of this is meant to be for us.”

While still in his 20s, Sampognaro has already accumulated an impressive work record.

“I’ve been turning wrenches since I was twelve years old,” said Sampognaro, who was born in 1984. “Now, I’ve got 15 years experience.”

Auto work runs in the blood of this Homewood family.

“I'm the third generation of owning my own auto repair shop,” Sampognaro said. "My grandpa taught my dad everything he knows about mechanics and running your own business and in turn my dad taught me."

Specifically, there are three crucial things his father taught him, Rick Jr. says:

1. Honesty is paramount. Don't ever put something in a car it doesn't need.
2. It's OK to give freebies every once in a while. They come back tenfold.
3. Good time management is crucial to running your own business.

It would logically make sense then, that Bill Sampognaro, owner of Flossmoor Family Auto and brother of Rick Sampagnaro Sr., knows these rules as well. It may not be a coincidence that he's the runner-up in this competition.  

Rick Sampognaro Jr. made sure to mention how appreciate he is for all of his customers and the support they gave him through this competition.

Speaking of which, here's some things his fans had to say about him:

• : "The absolute ONLY place I take my car to for repairs is Rick at R&R Maintenance Auto Repair in Glenwood!!! He is great...he takes the time to ensure that the job is done right and his prices are reasonable, plus it is a family-owned business. And people take care of their family right? So who better to trust working on your car, someone who makes you fee like family from the minute you walk in the door...or places that are impersonal and do not do quality work on top of it? I'd take feeling like family AND quality work personally...how about you?"
• : "R&R maintenance in glenwood. I've been to a lot of places for my truck and paid through the nose for it. Won't take my truck anywhere else. Rick has my business for life."
• : "Rick at R & R Maintenance in Glenwood; honest, dependable, and quality work. Love that it is a family owned business. Vicky"
• : "R & R in Glenwood! Rick is the best! I used to Work for Rick Sr. in Homewood. Honest, dependable, reliable and the best Family to have worked for! Family run. Only The Very Best!"
• : "R&R Maintenance is truly superb. Have been using them for years and have always had excellent service. Very fair pricing and quality craftsmanship. Rick Sr and Jr treat me like family and take the time to explain any and all repairs. They even tell me of possible future repairs so that I know what's coming. I come from New Lenox cause R&R is that good!"
• : "I sent my grandmother to R&R. Need I say more?"
• : "... Rick Sampognaro Senior is the former owner or Rick's Autocare in Homewood and former partner of Flossmoor Family. His son, Rick Sampognaro Junior opened R&R Maintenance Automotive Repair in Glenwood and has a majority of Homewood Customers due to the name and reputation. It's hard to find a good honest mechanic in this world. Your search is over. No matter where you live, it will save you money to bring your car to R&R Maintenance. No joke, they can even diagnose your problem over the phone. R&R Maintenance is a father and son owned shop and they both reside in Homewood and have for 36 years. Their customers are treated like one of their own.

Congratulations, again, to Rick Sampognaro Jr., H-F's most-trusted mechanic.